WELCOME HOME!
INTRO TO TOPIC: Discuss Miley Cyrus & Billy Ray’s response to his prodigal daughter.
Billy Ray’s song: “That's what daddy's do, they shield you from the rain, Shelter in the storm, there to ease your pain, Wherever you may roam, what you're going through, Know I'm by your side 'cause that's what daddy's do.” The unconditional love of a father for a child.
OPENING TEXT:
“Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such despicable people -- even eating with them! So Jesus used this illustration.” (Luke 15:1-3, NLT).
• Jesus hung around with sinners, that got the religious people mad. (Pharisees = bloggers!)
• To answer why he hung out with bad people, he told them three stories.
I. THE LOVING FATHER:
1. The story of a shepherd who had 100 sheep and lost one and went looking for it.
- Why would he leave the 99 just to look for one? What does this teach us about God?
2. The story of a woman who had 10 coins and lost one and went looking for it.
- She still had 9 coins, but went crazy looking for one. Trashed the house looking for one.
- What’s going on here? She still had the majority of the coins.
3. The story of a father who had two sons and lost one and welcomed him home.
• The shepherd represents Jesus, the woman with the light represents the Holy Spirit, and the Father represents God the Father. Joyful celebration when they found what was lost.
• Jesus is teaching us that people are infinitely valuable to God.
THE BIG IDEA: God is an extravagantly loving Father who longs to welcome his children home with a joyful celebration.
II. THE REBELLIOUS SON: (Luke 15:11-24).
“11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: "A man had two sons.”
• This story is different from the other two. The sheep was a dumb animal and got lost. The coin didn’t get lost on its own. But the son chose to leave the father.
“12 The younger son told his father, 'I want my share of your estate now, instead of waiting until you die.' So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.
• As a father, if one of my children said this to me, I would have been devastated.
13 A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and took a trip to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money on wild living.
• He turned his back on the father with no thought of returning (distant land = far away)
• I’m sure the father stood there weeping as he watched him leave.
• The younger son was a fool and soon wasted all of his money on casinos, bars, loose women, strip clubs, nice vacation, bigger toys, fancy clothes, etc.
14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve.
• Next thing you know, he’s homeless, on the streets, lost weight, maybe strung out
15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him to feed his pigs. 16 The boy became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.
• The only job he can get is working for a pagan pig-farmer. Worst possible job for a Jew.
17 When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, 'At home even the hired men have food enough to spare, and here I am, dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, "Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired man."'
• So many people who don’t know God struggle with a sense of worth.
• He finally came to his senses and decided to GO HOME to the Father’s House.
III. THE WELCOME HOME:
20 So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming.
• Here we see the father again, watching and waiting every day for his son to return.
20b Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.
• The father saw him because he had been looking for him and ran towards him.
• You don’t often see old men running, unless they’ve committed a crime, or someone is trying to do something bad to them. The father hiked up his robe and ran.
• The father could have punished him, disowned him, or even had him put to death.
• But the father kisses him and embraces him in the stench of his sin.
• The father was filled with love and compassion. He still loved the son!
21 His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.' 22 But his father said to the servants, 'Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger, and sandals for his feet.
• The robe and ring signified the son was accepted again into the family. Worth! Value!
• Why the sandals? In those days, slaves were barefoot. But this was the son!
• Love, acceptance and forgiveness! That’s the Kingdom of God – the church.
• “The church is not a museum for saints, but a hospital for sinners.” (Morton Kelsey).
23 And kill the calf we have been fattening in the pen. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.' So the party began.” (v.12-24).
• The father said, “Time for some Veal parmagiana!” The calf meat = veal.
• This story is often called the parable of the prodigal son. Prodigal = ‘wastefully or recklessly extravagant.’ That word also describes the father’s love for his son.
• “So the party began.” That’s the kingdom of God – it’s a celebration of God’s love!
CLOSING TEXT: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9).
• Salvation is a free gift for those who are not worthy and have done nothing to deserve it.
“Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them.” (Mark 10:13-16).
• Like a child, receive the free gift from your loving Heavenly Father!
ALTAR CALL: For salvation and rededication. Come home and let the party begin!
Beausejour Community Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://pastorchrisjordan.wordpress.com/
